Collapsible bassinet/infant seat with canopy

• US 5,947,552 A
• Filed: 08/14/1997
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fisher-Price (Mattel Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Canna, John S., Von Felten, Kenneth, Darling, Sandra M., Wilkins, Julia
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Peter R.
• Application Number:
  US08/911,524
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 297/16.1, 297/19, 297/46, 297/47, 297/50, 297/52, 297/54, 5/110, 5/111, 5/112, 5/114, 5/94, 5/655
• US Class Current: 297/16.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/66 Means to protect against weather
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 13/027 Baby-carriers with rigid frames
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 9/005 foldable
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 9/008 dismountable
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 9/012 with adjustable parts

Abstract

The infant product of the invention is of the type having an infant receptacle suspended from a frame. The infant product is foldable between a deployed position for use and a compact configuration for shipping and storage. In the assembled configuration, the infant receptacle is convertible between a bassinet configuration in which the infant receptacle has a substantially planar support surface and an infant seat configuration in which the support surface of the infant receptacle is partially titled or disposed at an angle such that the infant can be supported in an elevated or seated position. The infant product may include a fabric canopy incorporating floating webs and a quick connect system for securing the canopy in an open position. When the canopy is closed, it is folded so as to lie flat against the infant receptacle. The infant receptacle may also include a lateral support assembly to cradle the infant.

Claims

1. An infant-supporting device convertible between a compact configuration and a deployed configuration, comprising:

a suspension assembly including a first substantially U-shaped member and a second substantially U-shaped member releasably connected to each other at their ends, wherein the second member is disposed apart from the first member in the deployed configuration and is aligned with and substantially adjacent to the first member in the compact configuration;

a collapsible support frame movably connected to the suspension assembly, wherein the support frame supports the suspension assembly above a supporting surface in the deployed configurations, and the support frame includes a pair of legs which are disposed in a nested arrangement whereby the pair of legs lie in substantially the same plane in the compact configuration; and

a receptacle having a support surface for supporting an infant and an annular wall, the annular wall being connected to the suspension assembly for supporting an infant, wherein the receptacle is suspended from the support assembly above the supporting surface in the deployed configuration and collapsed in the compact configuration, the suspension assembly, support frame and the receptacle being convertible together between the compact configuration and the deployed configuration.

2. An infant-supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises a bassinet.

3. An infant-supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises an infant seat.

4. An infant-supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second members are pivotally connected to each other.

5. An infant-supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the support frame is pivotally connected to the suspension assembly.

6. An infant-supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a support surface with a first end and a second end movably connected to the first end and an annular side wall having an upper edge connected to the suspension assembly and a lower edge connected to the support surface.

7. An infant-supporting device according to claim 6, wherein the first and second ends are movable about a first axis of rotation such that the support surface is disposable in a substantially flat position and a seated substantially non-planar position.

8. An infant-supporting device according to claim 7, wherein the first end includes a first lateral side and a second lateral side movably interconnected.

9. An infant-supporting device according to claim 8, wherein the first and second lateral sides are pivotal about a second axis intersecting the first axis.

10. An infant-supporting device according to claim 6, wherein the first end is disposed at an angle relative to the second end and the receptacle further comprises a receptacle adjustable to a closed position to support the first end at the angle.

11. An infant-supporting device according to claim 10, wherein the receptacle support includes a support strap.

12. An infant-supporting device according to claim 11, wherein a first end of the support surface is a substantially planar support surface and includes a first lateral side with a first relief portion and a second lateral side with a second relief portion, wherein the support strap in the closed position depresses against the first and second relief portions thereby forming lateral support members.

13. An infant-supporting device according to claim 12, further comprising a support pad disposed on the support surface.

14. An infant-supporting device according to claim 6, wherein the support surface is substantially planar.

15. An infant-supporting device according to claim 6, wherein the first end includes lateral support members.

16. An infant-supporting device according to claim 15, further comprising a removable pad disposed on the support surface including a cradle portion formed by the lateral support members.

17. An infant-supporting device according to claim 1, further comprising a canopy attached to the receptacle.

18. An infant-supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises a handle in the compact configuration.

19. An infant-supporting device according to claim 1, further comprising a carrying case adapted to receive at least the suspension assembly and the receptacle in the compact configuration.

20. An infant-supporting device according to claim 19, wherein the receptacle includes a pocket and the carrying case is stored in the pocket in the deployed configuration.

21. An infant-supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a canopy convertible between an open position and a closed position.

22. An infant-supporting device according to claim 21, further comprising snaps to hold the canopy in the closed position.

23. An infant-supporting device according to claim 22, wherein the canopy includes support members to retain the canopy in a concave shape.

24. An infant-supporting device according to claim 23, wherein the support members comprise resilient elongated strips.

25. An infant-supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the support surface is convertible between a substantially planar position and a non-planar position.

26. A foldable infant product for supporting an infant that is foldable between a compact position and a deployed position, comprising:

an annular support rim having a first U-shaped rim member with a first open end and a second U-shaped rim member with a second open end, the first and second rim members being disposed in the deployed position with their open ends opposed, the second rim member being coupled to the first rim member for pivotal movement with respect to the first rim member, the second rim member being disposed adjacent a first side of the first rim member in the compact position;

a first support coupled to the first rim member for pivotal movement with respect thereto, the first support being disposed on a second side, opposite the first side of the first rim member in the compact position; and

a second support coupled to the annular support rim and pivotable with respect thereto, the second support being disposed substantially parallel to and on the second side of the first rim member in the compact position and substantially parallel to the first rim member in the deployed position.

27. A foldable infant product according to claim 26, wherein the second rim member is disposed substantially parallel to the first rim member in the compact position.

28. A foldable infant product according to claim 26, wherein the first support is disposed substantially parallel to the first rim member in the compact position and substantially transverse to the first rim member in the deployed position.

29. A foldable infant product according to claim 26, wherein the first rim member is pivotally coupled to the second rim member by a joint including a detent for holding the second support in the compact position.

30. A foldable infant product according to claim 26, wherein the second support is pivotally coupled to the first rim member by a joint including a detent for holding the first support in the compact position.

31. A foldable infant product according to claim 26, wherein the second support is releasably secured to the first rim member in the deployed position by a snap pin connector.

32. A foldable infant product according to claim 26, further comprising:

an infant support suspended from the annular support rim for supporting an infant.

33. An infant product according to claim 26, wherein said second support is coupled to the annular support rim by a hub.

34. An infant product according to claim 26, wherein said first rim member is coupled to the second rim member by a hub.

35. An infant product according to claim 34, wherein said second support is coupled to the annular support rim by the hub.

36. An infant-supporting device convertible between a compact configuration and an deployed configuration, comprising:

a suspension assembly including a first substantially U-shaped member and a second substantially U-shaped member releasably connected to each other at their ends, wherein the second member is disposed apart from the first member in the deployed configuration and substantially adjacent the first member in the-compact configuration;

a collapsible support frame movably connected to the suspension assembly, wherein the support frame supports the suspension assembly above a supporting surface in the deployed configuration and the support frame is disposed substantially adjacent the first member in the compact configuration; and

a receptacle for supporting an infant including a support surface and an annular side wall with an upper edge connected to the suspension assembly and a lower edge connected to the support surface, the support surface having a first end and a second end movably connected to the first end, wherein the receptacle is suspended from the support assembly above the supporting surface in the deployed configuration and the first end of the support surface is disposable at an angle relative to the second end and a pair of receptable support strap straps are attached to the receptacle and are interconnected to support the first end at the angle, the suspension assembly, support frame and the receptacle being convertible together between the compact configuration and the deployed configuration.